My Little Tulip

I've been cheating on Hare Pyns again. I took a few days and stitched up another Christmas ornament for myself. This now makes four that I need to do the finishing on. I stitched this one a couple of years ago for the guild's ornament exchange. I've been meaning to stitch it for myself since then, but hadn't gotten around to it. It seemed like a great way to avoid stitching on Hare Pyns time to stitch up something quick. Anywho, this is Angel of Tulips by The Goode Huswife. I stitched it with the called for NPIs on the recommended 40ct Daily Grind by R&R.

But lest you think I'm not working on what I'm supposed to be working on...

Allow me to show you how Hare Pyns is coming along. I finally finished doing all that background fill in on the front panel. It was a beating, but I love the way it looks - makes the piece look "finished" to me. I'm now working on the back panel doing the Florentine stitching. After I get all the full rows done, I'll go back and fill in the gap between the first full row and the front panel. It does look pretty, doesn't it? Not sure if I'll get this piece done in time for the workshop, there's a lot more stitching to go on this piece. But, if I can stop getting distracted and working on other pieces keep moving along, I think I may be able to get it done.

And Monday was my birthday, so some of my dear friends took me out to lunch over the weekend. They completely spoiled me with gifts they had stitched!!!

I cannot for the life of me remember who the designer is on this one, but isn't it beautiful? She said it was actually charted with a little dog on there, but she stitched a pretty black cat for me instead. Now I have an Othello needlebook! And don't you love that crazy bird?!

This one is a Chessie & Me piece, called "Chessie's Fern", I believe. Isn't that the sweetest? This one looks like Romeo. And look at the pretty miniature gold scissors. I love how they look against the black!

And finally, this is one of the BBD Reward of Merit designs called "Wild Lilies". She changed the colors on it, and I think it turned out so lovely. It's filled with crushed walnut shells, and look at the pretty trim she used.

Ladies, I can't tell you how much appreciate the gorgeous gifts you stitched for me. I will treasure them!!

It was a lovely birthday. I couldn't have asked for better. And now...back to playing on the internet Hare Pyns.

Honfleur

So, I took another little break from Hare Pyns. I know, I know...but I couldn't stand it, I needed a break. When I got my SANQ Summer issue, I just knew I had to stitch the 1863 Honfleur Sampler, but Dona's recent finish pushed me over the edge. I loved the color changes Dona made and I shamelessly copied her use of colors as well as using AVAS 100/3 like she did. Mine is stitched on 40ct Lambswool, because I happened to have some in my stash and I thought it would be a nice choice for this piece.

Stitching Lucie Beharel's little sampler was very enjoyable. And although she stitched hers in Honfleur, this sampler reminds me of Rome. The cross flanked by candlesticks and flowers reminds me of St. Peter's. When I took her photo, I included the rosary I brought home from St. Peter's. It's been tucked safely away in its little bag since then, but this piece looked like it was the perfect opportunity for a photo shoot with it!

My favorite motif is the anchor though - a symbol of hope. I can always use an extra bit of hope, can't you?

I stitched the majority of this sampler while we were watching the second season of Rome, which is another reason I'm drawing that connection I'm sure. She was a sweet stitch and I enjoyed this sampler immensely.

Ok, ok. So now back to Hare Pyns.

I am grateful for some time off from work and a little finish.